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It says a lot about a place when the main selling point is proximity to better cities.
Lol please tell me you're joking. Philadelphia is a great city on its own. But when you're also able to take day trips two of the most powerful cities on earth, that's a great asset to have. When comparing Philly to Chicago, it's a huge difference between the two. Both have amazing local culture, both are very urban, both have great food, both have tons of major league sports, both have great universities, both are seemingly thriving in one part of the city while collapsing in the other, etc. However, a major difference is that Chicago is just Chicago. Nothing else of significance around it. However, when you get a similar experience in Philly, to a lot of people, the added bonus of being that close to NYC and DC tips the scales in favor of Philly over Chicago.
Lol please tell me you're joking. Philadelphia is a great city on its own. But when you're also able to take day trips two of the most powerful cities on earth, that's a great asset to have. When comparing Philly to Chicago, it's a huge difference between the two. Both have amazing local culture, both are very urban, both have great food, both have tons of major league sports, both have great universities, both are seemingly thriving in one part of the city while collapsing in the other, etc. However, a major difference is that Chicago is just Chicago. Nothing else of significance around it. However, when you get a similar experience in Philly, to a lot of people, the added bonus of being that close to NYC and DC tips the scales in favor of Philly over Chicago.
I don't think we are ever going to get off of this Philly has Boston to DC among its East Coast travel to cities. Mint it in itself superior to others with less closer.
Guess I'm the only one it gets old for someone to dare not see it that way. But a sum of other parts too. One can travel more then by car or train today too. If they need a East Coast fix or warm weather in winter. . They can surely catch a plane.
Big cities offer some cheaper flights then trains even.
Lol please tell me you're joking. Philadelphia is a great city on its own. But when you're also able to take day trips two of the most powerful cities on earth, that's a great asset to have. When comparing Philly to Chicago, it's a huge difference between the two. Both have amazing local culture, both are very urban, both have great food, both have tons of major league sports, both have great universities, both are seemingly thriving in one part of the city while collapsing in the other, etc. However, a major difference is that Chicago is just Chicago. Nothing else of significance around it. However, when you get a similar experience in Philly, to a lot of people, the added bonus of being that close to NYC and DC tips the scales in favor of Philly over Chicago.
+1
Not to mention everything else within 3-4 hours. Ever been to the PA Grand Canyon? The Finger Lakes in Upstate NY? No one is saying this is the reason to live in Philly, but that you get a great, affordable city with this additional benefit.
Dave, I think we’ll get off the point when the *haters* stop saying things such as “It says a lot about a place when the main selling point is proximity to better cities.”
Till then of course people are going to rebuke this silliness.
Not to mention everything else within 3-4 hours. Ever been to the PA Grand Canyon? The Finger Lakes in Upstate NY? No one is saying this is the reason to live in Philly, but that you get a great, affordable city with this additional benefit.
Dave, I think we’ll get off the point when the *haters* stop saying things such as “It says a lot about a place when the main selling point is proximity to better cities.”
Till then of course people are going to rebuke this silliness.
Cool. The criteria the OP listed was pretty vague and basically mentioned public transit, big city offerings and a desire for less a less cliquish city. The thread fell into a more general discussion and comparison of the cities as expected. I replied to some silliness. C’est la vie.
Philadelphia > Pittsburgh > Chicago to live in for me.
Although Chicago is my favorite city by far, followed by Pittsburgh, the location of Philadelphia wins. You're near beaches, mountains, close to the capital and Boston for me. The suburbs of Philly and the area is great, and your neighboring state of NJ isn't that bad. I really do like South Jersey. I'm not a fan of NYC, so I would not really visit it all that much... but there are a ton of things to do n Metro Philly and nearby.
Pittsburgh is #2 for me because its close to family and the city is beautiful. It's so hilly. I actually am thinking of relocating to Pittsburgh eventually because I really like it a lot (And its 1/3 of living where I currently do). The only downside to Pittsburgh is that you are far from the ocean, but there's so much to make up for it.
Chicago is 3rd for me, mostly due to location. All my family lives in MA, RI, CT .. so I want to be near there. Chicago isan amazing place and if Chicago was in the location of say Cleveland or Buffalo, I would easily pick it.
And besides, the OP’s tone was by no means rigid. S/he concluded “any advice would be helpful,” not “rate these cities on this criteria,” and my personal advice is that having access to all these great things is a major bonus.
And besides, the OP’s tone was by no means rigid. S/he concluded “any advice would be helpful,” not “rate these cities on this criteria,” and my personal advice is that having access to all these great things is a major bonus.
I mean, the part about needing PT because of a “movement disorder” strongly suggests that it doesn’t matter what’s within several hours driving distance to any city. Seems like the digression as to whether Wisconsin is better than the Poconos or not and whether proximity to Boston or Detroit matters is missing the point...
I mean, the part about needing PT because of a “movement disorder” strongly suggests that it doesn’t matter what’s within several hours driving distance to any city. Seems like the digression as to whether Wisconsin is better than the Poconos or not and whether proximity to Boston or Detroit matters is missing the point...
A lot of these places have bus access as well, or you know the OP may even make a friend or two who drives.
A lot of these places have bus access as well, or you know the OP may even make a friend or two who drives.
But is Philly suppose to win every poll by proximity to Boston to NYC especially and thru to DC? Seems so in threads Philly is vs lately....... it did win vs Miami. You should be happy there.
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One can travel more then by car or train today too. 
If they need a East Coast fix or warm weather in winter. 
. They can surely catch a plane.
